Photo by: Chris Carter Media
Alvaro Folgueiras to Join Cardinals
June 02, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Kelsey signs the rising senior big man from Iowa
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville men's basketball head coach Pat Kelsey announced the signing of Alvaro Folgueiras on Tuesday.
"Alvaro Folgueiras will be an engine for us," said Kelsey. "At 6-10, he possesses a combination of size and skill that is rare and highly coveted. Dynamic on both the perimeter and in the paint, he creates a massive problem for opposing defenses. Alvaro is extremely versatile on the offensive end; and while he's an efficient scorer, it's his playmaking prowess that separates him as one of the elite players in college basketball. Alvaro will allow us to continue to spread the floor while affording us the size and defensive tools necessary for competing at the highest level nationally. We are thrilled to welcome Alvaro to Card Nation, and we know that his passion and charisma will be cherished by the Louisville Faithful."
The rising senior heads to The Ville after one season at Iowa and two years at Robert Morris.
Folgueiras averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in his junior year at Iowa. He shot 50% from the floor for the Hawkeyes and scored in double figures in 16 contests.
During Iowa's Elite 8 run, Folgueiras averaged 11.0 points and 2.8 boards per game. He hit the game-winning 3-pointer over 1-seed Florida to send the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. To start the year, Folgueiras was named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
Prior to transferring to Iowa, the Malaga, Spain, native played for two seasons at Robert Morris. Folgueiras was the 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year after averaging 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game as a sophomore.
Folgueiras recorded 14 double-doubles on the year and logged four 20-plus-point games, starting all 35 contests for the Colonials. He shot 54.8% from the floor, including a 41.3% clip from the 3-point line.
In his freshman year, Folgueiras appeared in all 31 games for Robert Morris with five starts. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 boards per game.
Folguieras attended DME Academy for his lone year of high school in the United States in 2022-23. He has been a staple in the Spanish National Team program, playing for the country in FIBA contests for the last four years.
He helped Spain earn silver medals at FIBA in 2022 (U17) and 2023 (U18). He played on Spain's U20 team in 2025 and competed in 2024 with the U20 Eurobasket squad.
"Alvaro Folgueiras will be an engine for us," said Kelsey. "At 6-10, he possesses a combination of size and skill that is rare and highly coveted. Dynamic on both the perimeter and in the paint, he creates a massive problem for opposing defenses. Alvaro is extremely versatile on the offensive end; and while he's an efficient scorer, it's his playmaking prowess that separates him as one of the elite players in college basketball. Alvaro will allow us to continue to spread the floor while affording us the size and defensive tools necessary for competing at the highest level nationally. We are thrilled to welcome Alvaro to Card Nation, and we know that his passion and charisma will be cherished by the Louisville Faithful."
The rising senior heads to The Ville after one season at Iowa and two years at Robert Morris.
Folgueiras averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in his junior year at Iowa. He shot 50% from the floor for the Hawkeyes and scored in double figures in 16 contests.
During Iowa's Elite 8 run, Folgueiras averaged 11.0 points and 2.8 boards per game. He hit the game-winning 3-pointer over 1-seed Florida to send the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. To start the year, Folgueiras was named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List.
Prior to transferring to Iowa, the Malaga, Spain, native played for two seasons at Robert Morris. Folgueiras was the 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year after averaging 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game as a sophomore.
Folgueiras recorded 14 double-doubles on the year and logged four 20-plus-point games, starting all 35 contests for the Colonials. He shot 54.8% from the floor, including a 41.3% clip from the 3-point line.
In his freshman year, Folgueiras appeared in all 31 games for Robert Morris with five starts. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 boards per game.
Folguieras attended DME Academy for his lone year of high school in the United States in 2022-23. He has been a staple in the Spanish National Team program, playing for the country in FIBA contests for the last four years.
He helped Spain earn silver medals at FIBA in 2022 (U17) and 2023 (U18). He played on Spain's U20 team in 2025 and competed in 2024 with the U20 Eurobasket squad.
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